Search Engine Why'd I take speed for twenty years? - Part 2 (classic)
Living with a 'Broken' Brain: How Stimulants Unlocked Dr. Bianca Harris's Mind
Dr. Bianca Harris shares her journey of living with a brain tumor diagnosed in childhood and the cognitive challenges it caused, particularly with reading and comprehension.
Despite excelling academically and professionally, she struggled with feelings of imposter syndrome and self-doubt due to undiagnosed ADHD-like symptoms linked to her cerebellar lesion.
At 34, after obtaining an ADHD diagnosis, stimulants like Ritalin profoundly cleared her mental fog, allowing her to finally experience relief and focus, describing the feeling as a "toy" she had yearned for.
However, she grapples with the ethical and identity questions stimulants evoke, such as "Is this cheating? Is this really me?" but recognizes their net positive impact on her life.
Her story highlights the complex emotional and cognitive effects of brain injuries, the often invisible nature of such challenges, and the nuanced role of stimulant medications in managing them.
Childhood Tumor Ignored by Father
- Bianca Harris experienced a brain tumor as a child which was initially ignored by her father, a physician.
- This neglect shaped her to avoid complaining, as she feared being seen as crying for attention.
School Reading Difficulties Post-Surgery
- Bianca Harris struggled with school reading and comprehension after her surgery.
- She felt frustrated and anxious because she couldn’t read and think simultaneously, leading to feelings of shame and self-doubt.
